DIY | Tie Dye Denim (Part 1)

3.19.2012

This DIY kick starts my tie dye week (another version to come) and just might be my most favorite DIY yet!! As I was perusing the latest Elle magazine, I saw an ad for Paige denim. It was for a beautiful pair of tri-colored tie dye jeans (Paige Toulouse Verdugo Skinny). I have been on a color obsession lately and had to have my hands on these. The price was a little out of reach for me, so I thought I would take a stab at it myself. The steps were pretty simple. Full tutorial after the jump... (Note: I added tips on color and washing/dry cleaning)

1. Follow the steps on the RIT dye package to create your dye baths. (I never quite use the whole package, and divide everything by 2... to create smaller, more manageable baths)

2. Using your sponge brush, paint strokes on the front side of the jean. Start with the lightest color. I used petal pink. Note: I added a bit of tan to get a more coral color.

3. Paint strokes with the next darkest color on the front side of the jean. I used wine bordo. Note: I added a bit of denim blue to make it a bit more magenta.

4. Paint strokes with the darkest color on the front side as well. I used denim blue. Note: I added a bit of wine bordo for a purple tint.

5. Once, the front side is fully painted, let dry and follow steps 2 through 4 for the back side. Do not forget about the side seams, paint strokes to connect the front and back sides. Let dry! Try on and dance!! You now have fun pair of tie dye denim!! Swell done!!

NOTE on Washing: I recommend setting the dye before washing. Detailed instructions on setting the dye to prevent bleeding can be found : here. Also, remember not to wash with other clothes when washing for the first time. Hang dry to keep the colors bright. More tips on washing can be found: here. I will try dry cleaning after setting the dye to keep the colors vibrant. I'd love to hear anyone else's suggestions.NOTE on Color: Please note that I mixed dyes to create a color that I wanted. See steps 2 - 4. I have a closet full of RIT dye and mixed in what I already had leftover from past projects. A tip I have for creating dye colors would be to mix in a dye a little at a time until you are happy with the result. Also, adding less dye and more water is a great way to achieve a lighter shade. Then, have a rag or scrap muslin that you can test the color on first beforehand. Have fun! It's like being a color scientist! :)

Hi Nicole! I haven't tried. Rit dye should work on any natural fabrics, like cotton. If you were to try them on a pair of stretch cotton leggings, I think they would have a more blurred, watercolory effect, vs the brushstroke look that I achieved. I hope this helps! Please email me if you have any other questions.

I tried these yesterday and it turned out great. Only problem was the remaining white of the jean ended up turning pink. So there is no white demin showing. How did you keep the white parts white? I followed the set the die and eveything in your post but I just have no white. Any tips???